Exercise Your Mind Not Just Your Abs

I hope everyone had a nice holiday weekend.

I had a quiet one.

Did some digging in the garden which is always good.

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I put my crochet hook and my knitting needles aside giving my hands a rest.

Marly Bird is going to do another KAL (Knit-A-Long) and I want to be ready!

I haven't been to Michaels yet to get the yarn.

It's on the "to do" list.

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The Fortune Cookie Journal suggested I exercise my mind not just my abs 
(which I did in the garden)
and I guess I did that by completing some reading.

My 88 year-old godmother loves to read.
She really enjoys the China Bayles mystery series by Susan Wittig Albert.
The new one - THE LAST CHANCE OLIVE RANCH is out. 
Number 25 in the series!
It's a good thing that my godmother doesn't mind if I read it first!
It's on it's way to her house for Mother's Day. 
One of the reasons I enjoy this series so much is the business China owns--
an herb shop.
In this book -- olives take center stage along with murder.
All the favorite characters are back and in fine form.

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The second book I want to share with you is
MY CITY HIGHRISE GARDEN by Susan Brownmiller.

Most people know Susan Brownmiller as feminist and journalist. She is probably best known for her 1975 book, AGAINST OUR WILL: MEN, WOMEN AND RAPE. Now 80 years old, Brownmiller takes us on a delightful tour of her 20th floor high-rise garden, something she has been tending with care for 35 years. 
 Small space gardening is not easy (I know), but on the 20th floor of a high-rise is definitely an unnatural environment with high winds and bad weather, along with the occasional maintenance of the building. She talks about the garden with humor and honesty. I got lots of ideas for my balcony (on the second floor) and my postage stamp backyard. I even ordered day-lilies from the company that she uses. If you love gardens, this a short (154 pages), sweet description of an oasis in the city with all its trials, tribulations and successes. I'm going to keep my copy for future reference!

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The third book is THE CURIOUS CHARMS OF ARTHUR PEPPER
by Phaedra Patrick.

Charming and delightful, Arthur Pepper is nearing the one year
anniversary of his wife's death. It's time to clean out the closet and get rid of her things. While separating clothes and shoes, he finds a charm bracelet in a pair of boots. He doesn't remember ever seeing the bracelet before.
This bracelet and it's charms take Arthur on an adventure of healing and self-discovery. 

Three different books and all good.
Although if you are interested in the Mystery,
you should start with book number one -- not number twenty five!

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I went out to feed the fish and look what I found in the pond!
A whole lot of "something" going on. Ha!
This must mean that spring is definitely here.

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This week instead of lunch it was breakfast with a friend.
Spinach Quiche at Croissant Brioche -- French Bakery and Cafe.
Authentic French breads baked fresh daily.
YUM!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Five on Friday

Willy Nilly Friday

Mosaic Monday

Camera Critters 62

It's Saturday and that means Camera Critters
and time for a behind the scenes tour
of the Reptile House at the Houston Zoo.

Here's the Limo waiting to take us behind the scenes.
Our two favorite ladies at the zoo -- Ginger and Lona.

Before we get to the Reptile House we make a quick stop to see the giraffes. The big, tall guy staring at us is Kiva. He sees the cart and thinks he's going to get a special treat. He watched us carefully to see where we were going.

Thai is the big guy, Asian elephant, in his hot tub!

You will see some hands in the photos. The hands above belong to Judith, our guide and one of the keepers of the Reptile House. She is holding an Eyelash Frog. If you look closely you can see the eyelashes!

The Solomon island eyelash frog is a moderately robust frog that hails from the Bougainville and Solomon Islands in the south Pacific. The species inhabits the forest floor and with its triangular head and “eyelashes” it is thought that they perhaps mimic leaves and rely upon camouflage to avoid predators and wait for prey. Eyelash frogs breed by direct development which means they lay eggs that have no tadpole stage. Instead, they larval amphibians completely undergo metamorphosis within the egg and hatch as tiny versions of the adults. Researches say that this frog is able to tolerate a wide range of different habitats, even popping up in people’s gardens. Likely as a consequence, it is fairly abundant throughout its range.

These are Tomato Frogs and it's easy to see where they got their name.

Range: Eastern coast of Madagascar (off the eastern coast of Africa)
Habitat: In and around shallow pools, marshes, drainage channels, flooded meadows
Conservation Status: Near threatened
Scientific Name: Dyscophus antongillii

Aptly named, this colorful species can be found peering out from under leaves and logs. The female is larger and a brighter red than the male, while babies are a dull brown. Although we associate frogs with water, this species is a poor swimmer. In fact, in captivity, special precautions are taken to keep the froglets from drowning as they develop from the tadpole stage.

This is the Giant Waxy Monkey Tree Frog.
(My hands.)

Class: Amphibia

Order: Anura

Scientific Name: Phyllomedusa bicolor

Range: Amazon Rain Forest Brazil, Colombia, Bolivia, Peru, Guianas, Guianian region of Venezuela

Habitat: Tree branches in the rain forest canopy, usually above water

Diet: Wild: This species is a carnivore. Primarily eats various insects and worms.
Zoo: Crickets, nightcrawlers, superworms, occasional 'pinky' mice and vitamins.

Gestation: Incubation: 7-10 days

Litter: Clutch size: up to 350 eggs

Life Span: 10 years (in captivity)

Description: Their bodies are bright green, with cream spots bordered in black along their sides, and a gray throat, chest and underside of legs. 'Waxy' refers to lipid secretions they spread over their bodies to prevent water loss. Also known as Monkey Tree Frog - 'monkey' refers to the opposable thumb they use to better grasp the branches they live among.

Behavior: Nocturnal. Walks or runs, rather than jumping, hand over hand through branches. Sleeps in the daytime high in the canopy. Easily seen in exhibit perched on vines.

Reproduction: At the height of the rainy season, males will call to attract females several miles away. If the female likes what she hears, she will spend up to an hour tracking him down. As they lay up to 350 eggs, their back feet cup the leaf edges together creating a funnel-shaped nest. Seven to 10 days later, the tadpoles hatch and fall into the water below.

* These frogs may be able to aid in the development of medications that would alleviate the symptoms of Alzheimer's, depression and other brain disorders.
* Many Amazonian people refer to this frog as 'sapo mono' which translates to monkey frog.

I loved this frog and watching him walk hand over hand -- very deliberate. His toes look like little suction cups. Because there is a pharmacologic interest in this frog, while there are lots of them right now, they are being caught and taken out of their native habitat.

This is part one. Part two next week!